Automatic pneumatic pump

Abstract

An automatic, pneumatic pump having a chamber that is gravity fed through a top opening and through a vertical tube with waste liquid. A buoyant plunger sits on an air inlet nipple, which nipple is located at the bottom of the chamber. Liquid entering the chamber causes the plunger to float and thereby to be unseated from the air inlet nipple. The plunger rises in the tube until it closes the top opening. Pressurized air enters the chamber and forces the waste liquid out through a discharge line. When all air and liquid have been discharged, the plunger falls to the bottom of the tube and reseats on the air inlet nipple so that the cycle can start again.

1. An automatic pneumatic pump, comprising:
 a casing, said casing having an outer surface, a top wall and a bottom wall, said casing, top wall and bottom wall enclosing a water-tight chamber; 
 a cylindrical tube disposed in said casing, said tube having an open upper end and an open lower end, wherein said open upper end extends above the top wall of said casing; 
 a compressed air line, said air line having a portion disposed on said bottom wall; 
 an outlet nipple having a conical outlet opening connected to said air line, said nipple extending through said open lower end of said tube; 
 a fluid discharge line, said discharge line having an inlet opening into said water-tight chamber; and 
 a plunger, said plunger disposed in said tube and freely movable therein. 
 
   
   
     2. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 1 , including a head gasket seat and a beveled head plate gasket disposed on said open upper end. 
   
   
     3. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 2 , including a gasket on said plunger, wherein said gasket engages said head gasket seat and said beveled head plate gasket to close said open upper end. 
   
   
     4. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 1 , including a pair of lifting handles attached to the outer surface of said casing. 
   
   
     5. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 1 , including a plug in said plunger for engaging said nipple and sealing said outlet. 
   
   
     6. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited as recited in  claim 1 , including a filter positioned at said open upper end. 
   
   
     7. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plunger comprises:
 a cylindrical member having double walls, an open bottom, and a closed top; 
 a fluid-tight annular chamber defined between said double walls; 
 a tubular passageway vertically disposed in said plunger, said passageway extending from said open bottom to said closed top; and 
 a plug for sealing said outlet nipple, said plug positioned in said passageway adjacent said closed top. 
 
   
   
     8. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said plug is fabricated from a pliable material. 
   
   
     9. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said plunger is fabricated from iron. 
   
   
     10. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 7 , including a sealable opening positioned in one of said double walls, said opening communicating with said annular chamber. 
   
   
     11. An automatic pneumatic pump, comprising:
 a casing, said casing having an outer surface, a top wall and a bottom wall, said casing, top wall and bottom wall enclosing a water-tight chamber; 
 a cylindrical tube disposed in said casing, said tube having an open upper end and an open lower end, wherein said open upper end extends above the top wall of said casing; 
 a head gasket seat disposed on said open upper end; 
 a compressed air line, said air line having a portion disposed on said bottom wall; 
 an outlet nipple connected to said air line, said nipple extending through said open lower end of said tube; 
 a fluid discharge line, said discharge line having an inlet opening into said water-tight chamber; 
 a plunger, said plunger disposed in said tube and freely movable therein; and 
 a pair of lifting handles attached to said outer surface of said casing. 
 
   
   
     12. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 11 , including a gasket on said plunger, wherein said gasket engages said head gasket seat to close said open upper end. 
   
   
     13. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 11 , including a filter positioned at said open upper end adjacent said head gasket seat. 
   
   
     14. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said plunger comprises:
 a cylindrical member having double walls, an open bottom, and a closed top; 
 a fluid-tight annular chamber defined between said double walls; 
 a tubular passageway vertically disposed in said plunger, said passageway extending from said open bottom to said closed top; and 
 a plug for sealing said outlet nipple, said plug positioned in said passageway adjacent said closed top. 
 
   
   
     15. An automatic pneumatic pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said plug is fabricated from a pliable material. 
   
   
     16. An automatic pump as recited in  claim 15 , including a sealable opening positioned in one of said double walls, said opening communicating with said annular chamber. 
   
   
     17. An automatic pump as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said plunger is fabricated from iron.